Our Ann Arbor car accident lawyers are reporting a one-vehicle car crash on M-14 near Barton Drive that critically injured two passengers. The car accident happened on Tuesday, December 18th, around 9:45 p.m. According to police, alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash. As a result of the crash, the driver remains uninjured, while the two passengers are in unstable condition at U-M Hospital. The accident is still under investigation as to what happenned.

I am terribly sorry to hear about this accident. I hope the injured passenger victims have a full recovery without any permanent damages.

Drivers between the ages of 16 and 44 accounted for more than 64 percent of had-been-drinking (HBD) drivers in 2007. In addition, 5,101 people were killed in the South Eastern Michigan region from alcohol related crashes. Alcohol related accidents are 100 percent preventable if necessary precautions are in place such as requiring ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders, conducting sobriety checkpoints, enhancing penalties for DUI child endangerment, participating in “No Refusal Events”, and utilizing Administrative License Revocation.

Our Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. car accident lawyers advise Ann Arbor victims of their legal rights. For this type of one-vehicle accident the injured passengers can submit a claim for Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits. No Fault benefits will cover their medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident. The injured passengers can claim these benefits even if they did not have a Michigan automobile insurance policy.

In addition, the injured passengers may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver, if found negligent, for the injuries suffered in the accident. In this lawsuit, the injured victims can claim damages and compensation for the injuries suffered. The insurance company for the negligent driver typically pays a settlement for this type of case.

Since alcohol is considered to be factor of the drivers behavior, another possible claim for anyone injured by the alleged drunk driver would be a potential Michigan dram shop case against the seller or furnisher of the alcohol before the accident. At the very least, all injurd parties and thier families should hire the best possible Ann Arbor car accident lawyer to look into these possibilities.